Revised and Extended

CHAPTER THREE The Sorting

The children soon reached the many tiered school and silently filed inside.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall began, "Your home for the next seven years of your long lives. I will be taking you into the Great Hall, where in the presence of your fellow schoolmates, you will be sorted into one of the four houses. Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin are their names," she paused for effect, "Well then, please follow me."

Lily linked her arm through Ophelia's, "I never imagined a school could be so... threatening. Promise you won't sneak off?"

"Promise."

Remus soon found his sister in the crowd and led Sirius, James and Severus over to them.

"Are you ready?"he asked, clutching her hand tightly.

She let out a heavy sigh. "Sure."

The small group was ushered inside, keeping close together. They came to a stop in front of the faculty table. Professor McGonagall brought out a stool and the infamous Sorting Hat.

All was silent and still until a rip near the hat's brim sprang to life.

"Well?" the hat croaked, making Lily jump. "It's that time already, is it? I was enjoying a nice nap in Dumblydore's office. On with it then. I don't have all day, you know."

"From the day of founding, to this night,

Witches and wizards from all places and all plights,

Have been brought before me, waiting for my judgement.

Where they be sorted into the Houses,

From which the wise Rowena Ravenclaw chooses those she deems best of them all.

Or will Godric Gryffindor find those with bravery and courage in their hearts?

Salazar Slytherin only asked for those whose skills were cunning and minds were proud.

Fair Helga Hufflepuff took the rest, believing that they had qualities above the rest.

Now it is your turn.

Put yourself to the test."

McGonagall unfurled a long, yellowed parchment once the Sorting Song was done, "Sirius Black," she called.

He confidently strode to the front of the crowd, the least nervous of the group, and hopped onto the stool. Immediately after the hat was placed upon his head, "Gryffindor!"echoed around the quiet Hall.

A wave of relief washed over his face as the table erupted into cheers.

This is when the most peculiar thing happened to Ophelia; she was trying so hard to block out the negative thoughts, that she ended up blocking out sound as well. The applause and murmuring fell flat once they reached her ears.

One by one, the students were called to the front, the crowd rapidly thinning out. She watched where they went after being sorted, and when Lily left her side, seven first-years had been sorted into the three other Houses, with Sirius being the only new addition to Gryffindor thus far. Much to her happiness, Lily was sorted into Gryffindor.

The silence had now become deafening, as she watched Ravenclaw and Slytherin gain two more students apiece.

"Ophelia Lupin."

"My hearing has come back," she thought to herself, before realizing that it was now her turn. Remus gave her hand a squeeze, "Good luck." he said under his breath.

Ophelia made her way up to Professor McGonagall, who was smiling encouragingly, her heart beating so fast she was sure it was going to beat right out of her chest. She stepped onto the wooden stool and let out a deep breath, feeling the Sorting Hat fall onto her head.

"Ophelia Lupin,"the hat muttered, "Hmmm, where to put you? Your father belonged to Gryffindor, but your mother, she was a Ravenclaw. You have the courage as great as any, but also a reluctance to show it. You would bring much to the Ravenclaw House, you're as cunning as any. Both would suit you fine."

She glanced over to where Lily and Sirius were now sitting, staring back intently.

"Gryffindor!"

Ophelia grinned and practically ran over to her friends.

"Remus Lupin."McGonagall called.

Her brother looked rather peaky, as if the full moon was approaching, but he faked a brave face and marched to the front of the Hall.

The hat had barely touched the tip of his head when it shouted, "Gryffindor!"
When he came to the table, he nearly tackled Phe and Sirius in a tight hug.

After a pack of disgruntled-looking boys were sorted into Slytherin, the Professor squinted at the parchment. "P-Peter Pettigrew."

A small, timid boy, who the others had not noticed in the crowd until that very moment, crawled up to the stool. The Sorting Hat took a considerable amount of time deciding where to put him before crying, "Gryffindor!"

He staggered over to the table and sat down next to Remus, quietly muttering, "Hello."

"James Potter."

James walked up to the front, as confidently as Sirius had. Professor McGonagall began to lower the Hat onto his rumpled, black hair. Before even landing upon his head, the Sorting Hat screamed "Gryffindor!", louder and clearer than any before him. He hopped down and joined his friends, a wide, knowing smile plastered across his face.

"Severus Snape."

The boy who had shared a boat with Remus and the others slunk up to the stool. "Slytherin!" the Hat cried, after a few moments of deliberation.

"Slytherin?" mouthed James.

"Come to think of it he does look like he belongs there," Sirius replied.

Another girl, named Mai Thylacine, was assigned to Gryffindor, before Talia was called, the very last student to be sorted.

"Talia Westenra." said Professor McGonagall.

Talia's was the longest consideration of the group, but finally, "Gryffindor!" was called.

Her face calmed as she took her place next to James.